BASL begins Online Certificate Course in Digital Law

Bar Association President  Rajeev Amarasuriya

Bar Association by Program Chair Jayantha Fernando

In keeping with its commitment to continuous professional development, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) will commence an Online Certificate Course in Digital Law on 6 May 2026.

The course will be conducted every Wednesday from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. over a period of 11 weeks and will be delivered online. It is open to Attorneys-at-Law, law students, and all those with an interest in digital law and its growing relevance across industries.

BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya said: “As technology continues to influence business, governance, and daily life, it is essential that individuals across industries are equipped with the knowledge to navigate its legal and regulatory implications. This Online Certificate Course in Digital Law has been designed to provide not only Attorneys-at-Law and law students, but also professionals from diverse fields, with a clear understanding of the legal dimensions of the digital economy. This initiative reflects the Bar Association’s commitment to fostering greater awareness and capacity in digital law for the benefit of the wider community.”

This program has been specially curated for the Bar Association by Program Chair Jayantha Fernando, AAL, Senior Consultant in Technology Law, Privacy and Artificial Intelligence and former Chair of Sri Lanka CERT, bringing significant expertise and industry insight into the structure and content of the course. 

 “Digital law as a subject is evolving rapidly, and pace technology growth is happening faster than law reform. As such legal practitioners need to understand how technology, data governance, and regulatory frameworks intersect with each other. This program is designed to provide participants with practical insight into areas such as Intellectual Property in the Digital era, Data Protection, cyber security, Cybercrime, Electronic Commerce, Transactions, electronic evidence, Telecommunications, digital banking and artificial intelligence, enabling them to better navigate the evolving legal and policy landscape of the digital economy,” Fernando said.

The sessions will cover a comprehensive range of key areas in digital law, including an introduction to digital law, digital economy strategy and industry perspectives; intellectual property rights in the digital era; recent developments in intellectual property such as copyrights, patents, trademarks and unfair competition; artificial intelligence and its regulatory approach in Sri Lanka; legal aspects of digital banking, mobile payments and fintech regulation; cybercrime in the digital age including the Budapest Convention and emerging legal frameworks; privacy and data protection in the digital environment; the impact of telecommunications regulatory frameworks on digitisation; digital transactions, e-commerce and e-evidence; online safety; and the impact of artificial intelligence on legal practice, including professional duties, practical guardrails and ethical considerations.

The program features an exceptional blend of local and international expertise, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of digital law and its increasing importance in legal practice and governance.

This initiative reflects BASL’s continued commitment to strengthening legal education in emerging areas and preparing professionals to navigate the complexities of the digital age. Registrations are now open, and those interested may contact the Bar Association on Telephone: 077 588 8781 or via Email: [email protected] / [email protected].